A Response to Michael S. ... from an MOJ Reader

[I quote:]

"[In] Michael S.'s most recent posting on the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Causus, he mischaracterizes the organization.  Gov. Sebelius was supporting an organization whose primary purpose is to support candidates that advance women's rights and opportunities.  The following is taken directly from the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus:

 

'The purpose of the organization is:

• To support candidates, female or male, who support public policies that advance women's rights and opportunities and who will employ women in decision-making roles in their campaigns and on their office staffs; and
• To educate women for fuller participation in the political system;
• To encourage women whose actions are consistent with the furtherance of women's rights to seek elective and appointive positions at all levels of government
• To promote laws that ensure gender equality'

Being pro-choice is one of a long list of factors that that the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus uses to determine which candidates to endorse but it is NOT the only one.  Under Michael S.'s reasoning Gov. Sebelius couldn't possibly be pro-life and still donate time to help the Democratic Party raise funds because its platform endorses a pro-choice position.  This reasoning would reduce Catholics to single issue voters and would force Catholics into either supporting the Republican Party or not voting at all.  This is clearly not the view espoused by the majority of the American bishops in Faithful Citizenship.

 

By the way, being pro-choice is not the same thing as endorsing Dr. Tiller's actions.

 

In fact, the t-shirt that Gov. Sebelius was holding listed three Democratic candidates - her, Lt. Gov. Parkinson, and Atty Gen. Morrison.  Morrison brought Tiller up on 15 counts of violating Kansas's laws governing late term abortions that require an independent second opinion from another doctor that the late term abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother.  Morrison resigned in a political scandal under accusations of sexual harrassment.  The Atty. General that Gov. Sebelius appointed to replace Morrison has continued to prosecute Dr. Tiller for 19 counts of violating Kansas's abortion laws.  These are hardly the actions of people who enthusiastically support Tiller's activities."